The most elemental meaning of the word "compaction," is the exertion of force on something so that it becomes more dense. In the realm of road construction, compaction is considered one of the most important processes in pavement and roadway surface construc- tion. It is necessary in order to attain high quality and uniformity of pavement materials, which in turn better ensures the long-lasting performance of the road. It has been more than a few years since the term and method of "intel- ligent compaction" (IC) has become a given in discussions of paving. Today, it has become the norm – compaction is pretty much considered intelligent compaction. Intelligent Compaction is the Key Long-lasting, durable surfaces result from quality compaction By Jeff Winke
Here is a simple dictionary type definition: IC refers to the compaction of road materials, such as soils, aggregate bases, or asphalt pavement materials, using modern vibratory rollers equipped with an integrated measurement system, an onboard computer reporting system, Global Positioning System (GPS) based mapping, and optional feedback con- trol. IC rollers facilitate real-time compaction monitoring and timely adjustments to the compaction process by integrating measurement, documentation, and control systems. IC rollers also maintain a con- tinuous record of color-coded plots, allowing the user to view plots of the precise location of the roller, the number of roller passes, and material stiffness measurements. "Operators have told me that intelligent compaction takes the guessing game out of their rolling pattern," said Daniel F. Brown, president of Phend & Brown, Inc., Milford, Ind. "They no longer need to remember which utility power pole or mailbox they started or stopped at with their rolling pattern. Additionally, uniform pass coverage is assured because pass coverage is being measured and documented." Back in 2011 the FHA reported on a major three-year research project which was designed to verify that IC, which at the time had been con- sidered "emerging technology," was mature enough to be implemented in the real world. The intent of the project was to create the blueprint in the FHWA IC strategic plan. This study was under the Transportation
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csengineermag.com march 2020
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